Brown: McLaren further ahead than anyone anticipated, us included

With the Dutch Grand Prix fast approaching, Formula 1 team bosses are expressing their aspirations for the remaining ten Grand Prix weekends, on this season's calendar, including McLaren CEO Zak Brown.

Next up is Zandvoort, in two Sundays' time, and already Mercedes has set their sights on a top-three finish in both World Championships. Now, their clients McLaren, enjoying a resurgence of form they haven't seen in decades, are aiming even higher.

Brown wants his McLaren team to win both the F1 Drivers' and Constructors' titles this year. It's fighting talk from the American, but it could happen. Red Bull is currently flying solo, with Max Verstappen doing the heavy lifting, fending off rivals who are no longer in serious contention.

Meanwhile, Sergio Perez is Missing In Action, once again searching for the race driver within himself. Perhaps Checo V3.0 (or is it V4.0?) will be better than previous versions of the veteran.

With a surge in form from both McLaren and Mercedes, Brown was asked if a double F1 title challenge was on the cards for the remaining races. He told SiriusXM: “I think we can. We’re certainly going to try. Obviously, the Constructors' [Championship] is more within reach because of how many points are available each weekend and the fact that Red Bull has only one car consistently performing at the front.

As for Perez's poor form relative to Verstappen and the challenge of the Drivers' title quest for Lando Norris, Brown commented: "I think Sergio is capable of turning it on at any time.

"And then the challenge on the Drivers' side is that Lando could win seven races, but if Max finishes second or third — which is probably what he would do — the point spread isn’t big enough. I think the point spread is what, seven points? And he’s 70-plus points behind. So literally, Lando could win seven races, and if Max finishes second, he still doesn’t catch him.

"Now, obviously, there are 10 races left. DNFs happen, but those go both ways. So 100% we’re going to give it all we’ve got for the Constructors' and Drivers' [titles], but you’ve got to say that the Drivers' title, mathematically, is a taller mountain to climb," Brown acknowledged.

But McLaren has climbed mountains before. Recent results show they are a winning force again in F1. However, it could be argued that their turnaround this season is a race or two too late, with Red Bull, and especially Verstappen, being too strong early on in the season.

Brown shared his thoughts on arriving late with a winning package: “I think motor racing and sport are all about ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda.’ Do I wish we had today’s car at the first race? Yes, but we didn’t. So I think you can’t look back and regret things.

"You can learn from things, but the team’s done a wonderful job. I think we’re further ahead than anyone anticipated — really, ourselves included. So I can’t look back on anything so far this year with anything other than fond memories," insisted Brown.

As we head to the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix, Round 15 of the 2024 F1 World Championship, the competition is closer than it’s been at the top of both title races, particularly the Constructors'. With seven winners in 14 races so far and four teams capable of winning on any given Sunday, ten epic race weekends await us.